Lowell prison inmates celebrate earning high school degrees

Female inmates at the Lowell Correctional Institute cheer during a ceremony celebrating their graduation from the high school education program. (Submitted photo)

By Andy FillmoreCorrespondent

Published: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 7:34 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 7:34 p.m.

LOWELL — “Mama G” admonished her Lowell Correctional Institute inmate high school graduating class with a simple formula about education leading to a better life.

“She told us, ‘You've got to know how to flour your chicken before you can run a KFC,' ” said Teela Armstrong, 20.

The class included 43 female inmates serving sentences from just over a year to 30 years, for charges ranging from drugs to second-degree murder.

Armstrong, who is about halfway through a two-year sentence for burglary, said her mother cried out of happiness during the graduation.

Inmate training assistant Alicia Morgan, 54, best known as “Mama G,” earned her high school diploma at the institution when she was 42.

“I care about the students and try to help them,” she said.

DOC records indicate Morgan is serving a 30-year sentence with a release date of May 2032.

Providing educational resources for inmates under age 22 to earn a high school diploma is required under Title I, a regulation tied to federal funding for prisons.

Warden Gus Mazorra said Lowell CI is the largest female state prison in the U.S. in terms of population. It houses 1,400 inmates in the main unit, 1,300 in an annex and 300 in a work camp. Approximately 145 inmates are youthful offenders ages 18 to 24, and five women are on death row. He said the Department of Corrections encourages education to help inmates transition back into society.

“Inmates that obtain a high school diploma and/or vocational certificate are 50 percent less likely to re-offend,” Mazorra said. “Although we have several vocational/education instructors and offer many educational/vocational programs, we reach out to the community for assistance in the form of volunteers to enhance the programs that we can offer to the inmates.”

“A diploma is the ticket to anything,” said class valedictorian Bianca Drangel, 22, who is serving a 20-year sentence. “Without it you can't do anything. Fast food jobs require it.”

Catherine McKinney, 29, entered Lowell almost three years ago on a six-year drug related sentence. She had an eighth-grade education.

“It was my mistake being involved with oxycodone. I've earned my degree, and now I can do something with my life,” McKinney said.

Her family is involved in the construction industry, and she said she may study blueprinting (drafting) while at Lowell, which is one of seven areas of vocational study available to inmates.

Educational Supervisor II Gary Whittaker said 491 women in the main unit lack a high school diploma.

He and staff instructor Mandy Barnard work closely with the youthful offenders and general population to help them succeed with their studies.

“Instructor Barnard helped us keep our heads on track,” said Cierra Bunn, 20. “There are plenty of students who sleep through the classes. You have to feel good about yourself. I had a situation where I could have been involved in a disruption and disciplinary report, but decided to do the right thing and report to class.”

“We're not your typical high school students,” said Anissa Masters, 20, who dropped out of school in ninth grade. She is serving the last two months of a one-year sentence related to drug charges.

Jamie Grasso, 22, is enrolled in the Basic Training Program that covers computer usage, resume writing and other personal and employment-aimed skills inmates will need upon release. She will be released in May, with eight months taken off her sentence for finishing the course.

Megan Hill, 28, said life behind the razor wire is, “What you make of it. I have a 1-year-old daughter, Amarie, I had to put up for adoption. The lady who adopted her brought her to the graduation,” Hill said with a smile.

<p>LOWELL — “Mama G” admonished her Lowell Correctional Institute inmate high school graduating class with a simple formula about education leading to a better life.</p><p>“She told us, 'You've got to know how to flour your chicken before you can run a KFC,' ” said Teela Armstrong, 20.</p><p>The class included 43 female inmates serving sentences from just over a year to 30 years, for charges ranging from drugs to second-degree murder.</p><p>Armstrong, who is about halfway through a two-year sentence for burglary, said her mother cried out of happiness during the graduation.</p><p>Inmate training assistant Alicia Morgan, 54, best known as “Mama G,” earned her high school diploma at the institution when she was 42.</p><p>“I care about the students and try to help them,” she said.</p><p>DOC records indicate Morgan is serving a 30-year sentence with a release date of May 2032.</p><p>Providing educational resources for inmates under age 22 to earn a high school diploma is required under Title I, a regulation tied to federal funding for prisons. </p><p>Warden Gus Mazorra said Lowell CI is the largest female state prison in the U.S. in terms of population. It houses 1,400 inmates in the main unit, 1,300 in an annex and 300 in a work camp. Approximately 145 inmates are youthful offenders ages 18 to 24, and five women are on death row. He said the Department of Corrections encourages education to help inmates transition back into society.</p><p>“Inmates that obtain a high school diploma and/or vocational certificate are 50 percent less likely to re-offend,” Mazorra said. “Although we have several vocational/education instructors and offer many educational/vocational programs, we reach out to the community for assistance in the form of volunteers to enhance the programs that we can offer to the inmates.”</p><p>“A diploma is the ticket to anything,” said class valedictorian Bianca Drangel, 22, who is serving a 20-year sentence. “Without it you can't do anything. Fast food jobs require it.”</p><p>Catherine McKinney, 29, entered Lowell almost three years ago on a six-year drug related sentence. She had an eighth-grade education.</p><p>“It was my mistake being involved with oxycodone. I've earned my degree, and now I can do something with my life,” McKinney said.</p><p>Her family is involved in the construction industry, and she said she may study blueprinting (drafting) while at Lowell, which is one of seven areas of vocational study available to inmates.</p><p>Educational Supervisor II Gary Whittaker said 491 women in the main unit lack a high school diploma.</p><p>“We offer further study in cosmetology, computer support, architectural drafting, culinary arts, equine technology, air conditioning, heating and refrigeration, and fashion design technology,” Whittaker said.</p><p>He and staff instructor Mandy Barnard work closely with the youthful offenders and general population to help them succeed with their studies.</p><p>“Instructor Barnard helped us keep our heads on track,” said Cierra Bunn, 20. “There are plenty of students who sleep through the classes. You have to feel good about yourself. I had a situation where I could have been involved in a disruption and disciplinary report, but decided to do the right thing and report to class.”</p><p>“We're not your typical high school students,” said Anissa Masters, 20, who dropped out of school in ninth grade. She is serving the last two months of a one-year sentence related to drug charges.</p><p>Jamie Grasso, 22, is enrolled in the Basic Training Program that covers computer usage, resume writing and other personal and employment-aimed skills inmates will need upon release. She will be released in May, with eight months taken off her sentence for finishing the course.</p><p>Megan Hill, 28, said life behind the razor wire is, “What you make of it. I have a 1-year-old daughter, Amarie, I had to put up for adoption. The lady who adopted her brought her to the graduation,” Hill said with a smile.</p>